Surrey

Simon's Wood trail

An area of wet woodlands and lowland heath providing an increasingly rare habitat which supports life for many birds and invertebrates. On this walk, you can explore the views, flora and fauna of the broadleaved and coniferous woodlands, the naturally created Heath Pond, and the rare delights of a heathland habitat.

Near to

Runnymede and Ankerwycke

Start point

Simon's Wood car park, Wokingham, Berkshire RG45 6AE

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.3 (km: 2.08)

Duration 40 mins

Dog friendly**

*The terrain is fairly even, however areas can be muddy in the winter. For further information, please see section marked Terrain.
**Dogs welcome under close control. For further information, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Simon's Wood car park, Wellingtonia Avenue, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG45 6AE
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Crowthorne station. On the Reading-bound side of the track, head west onto Duke's Ride. Continue over the roundabout onto Wellingtonia Avenue. Simon's Wood car park is about 0.5 miles on your right.
By road
Take the A321 (Lower Wokingham Road) and turn West into the B3348, Wellingtonia Avenue. The car park to Simon's Wood is on the right.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Simon's Wood car park, Wokingham, Berkshire RG45 6AE
Stage 1
From the car park, enter the woods through the access between the welcome board and leaflet stand. Follow the naturally formed path through the sweet chestnut trees.
Stage 2
Walk straight across the track to the path opposite.
Stage 3
Where the path forks, follow the arrow sign.
Stage 4
At the next track, turn left. You're now walking on the old Devils Highway, the Roman road that once ran between London and Silchester.
Stage 5
You're now at Heath Pool. Walk over the surface drain, and turn right into the woodland.
Stage 6
Continue left over the boardwalk. Please keep your dogs on a lead around the heathland as disturbance can affect the cycle of the birds that breed here.
Heathland
This area of heathland was restored under the Heathland Restoration Programme in the 1990s. Heathland is an important habitat for insects, spiders, reptiles and birds such as nightjars and Dartford warblers. Disturbance from human and dog interaction can seriously affect this wildlife so access is restricted. Dog waste can promote non-heathland vegetation that can upset the natural balance between heather, gorse and open sand. In the spring and summer, take binoculars and enjoy watching the antics of the bird and damselfly displays.
Stage 7
At the track, turn left, back onto the old Devils Highway.
Stage 8
Turn right at the sign. You're now walking through a mix of broadleaved and coniferous woodland. Watch your step as it can get boggy here.
Stage 9
Follow the arrows and boardwalks through the woodlands.
Stage 10
You're now in another area of heathland.
Stage 11
Cross the track – taking a quick right then left – and continue through the woodland.
Stage 12
Cross another track, follow the arrow and continue past the sweet chestnut trees back to the car park.
End point
Simon's Wood car park, Wokingham, Berkshire RG45 6AE
Trail map
Simon's Wood walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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